Military & Aerospace

Two Years of NDA Government: Defence Preparedness and Modernisation need Attention

The defence budget has dipped to 1.72 per cent of the country’s GDP – the lowest level since the disastrous 1962 War with China. Parliament’s Standing Committee on Defence and the armed forces have repeatedly recommended that it should be raised progressively to 3.0 per cent of the GDP if India is to build the defence capabilities that it needs to meet future threats and challenges and discharge its growing responsibilities as a regional power in Southern Asia.

During its first two years in office, the NDA government gave a free hand to the army to act pro-actively on the LoC with Pakistan. It worked assiduously with the leadership of the armed forces and the bureaucracy to give a fillip to the stalled process of military modernisation. However, the state of defence preparedness continues to merit the government’s urgent attention.

The army reportedly has some varieties of ammunition for barely ten days of conflict and it will cost Rs 19,000 core to replenish stocks.

In the remaining years in power, the Modi government must address the ‘critical hollowness’ plaguing defence preparedness – a term used by General V K Singh, former Army Chief, in the letter he wrote to the then Prime Minister in May 2012. Also, major operational voids in the war establishment of the three Services must be made up early in order to enhance combat readiness.

Large-scale deficiencies in ammunition and important items of equipment continue to adversely affect India’s readiness for war and the ability to sustain military operations over 20 to 30 days. The army reportedly has some varieties of ammunition for barely ten days of conflict and it will cost Rs 19,000 core to replenish stocks. It will be recalled that during the Kargil conflict in 1999, 50,000 rounds of artillery ammunition had to be imported from South Africa. The occurrence of such a situation during a time of crisis must be avoided through a prudent replenishment and stocking policy.

Modernisation of the armed forces has been stagnating due to the inadequacy of funds, the black-listing of several defence manufacturers and bureaucratic red tape. A committee led by Dhirendra Singh, former Home Secretary, was appointed to review the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP). Several pragmatic amendments have been made in DPP 2016 issued in early-April.

Modern wars are fought mostly during the hours of darkness, but most of the armoured fighting vehicles – tanks and infantry combat vehicles – are still ‘night blind’.

While projects worth over Rs 1,15,000 crore have been accorded ‘acceptance of necessity’ (AON) by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, actual contracts have still not been signed for most of the procurements for which AON has been given. And, like in the UPA regime, significantly large amounts of funds continue to be surrendered unspent from the capital budget.

In the army, artillery modernisation is still stagnating. There is an urgent need to acquire approximately 3,000 155 mm/ 52-calibre guns to replace obsolescent guns and howitzers, but not a single contract has yet been signed. Air defence and army aviation units are also equipped with obsolete equipment that has degraded their readiness for combat and created vulnerabilities.

Modern wars are fought mostly during the hours of darkness, but most of the armoured fighting vehicles – tanks and infantry combat vehicles – are still ‘night blind’. Only about 650 T-90S tanks of Russian origin have genuine night fighting capability. The infantry battalions need over 30,000 third generation night vision devices. Other requirements for infantry battalions include 66,000 assault rifles – a soldier’s basic weapon, carbines for close quarter battle, general purpose machine guns, light-weight anti-materiel rifles, mine protected vehicles, 390,000 ballistic helmets, and 180,000 lightweight bullet proof jackets.

The navy is in the process of building an air defence ship at Kochi to replace the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, six Scorpene submarines at Mazagon Docks and 22 destroyers, frigates, corvettes and other ships such as fast attack craft, landing ships and support ships. However, India’s maritime security challenges are growing and the navy not only needs to modernise but also expand its footprint in the Indo-Pacific region.

All three Services need to upgrade their C4I2SR capabilities to prepare for effects-based operations in a network-centric environment and to match ever increasing Chinese capabilities.

Modernisation plans of the air force are also proceeding ahead at a snail’s pace. The MMRCA project to acquire 126 fighter aircraft to replace obsolete MiG-21s is stuck in a groove. The government’s plans to initially purchase 36 Rafale fighters from France appears to have got bogged down while negotiating the contract. Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin (F-16) and Boeing (F-18) have jumped into the fray again with offers to produce their aircraft locally with transfer of technology (ToT).

All of these acquisitions are capital intensive and the present defence budget cannot support these. The defence budget has dipped to 1.72 per cent of the country’s GDP – the lowest level since the disastrous 1962 War with China. Parliament’s Standing Committee on Defence and the armed forces have repeatedly recommended that it should be raised progressively to 3.0 per cent of the GDP if India is to build the defence capabilities that it needs to meet future threats and challenges and discharge its growing responsibilities as a regional power in Southern Asia.

The armed forces are now in the fifth year of the 12th Defence Plan (2012-17). It has still not been formally approved with full financial backing by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

The budgetary allocations will continue to be surrendered unless the government sets up a rolling, non-lapsable defence modernisation fund of approximately Rs 1,00,000 crore under the Consolidated Fund of India. The armed forces are now in the fifth year of the 12th Defence Plan (2012-17). It has still not been formally approved with full financial backing by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The government has also not formally approved the long-term integrated perspective plan (LTIPP 2007-22) formulated by HQ Integrated Defence Staff. Without these essential approvals, defence procurement is being undertaken through ad hoc annual procurement plans.

These are serious lacunae as effective defence planning cannot be undertaken in a policy void. The government must commit itself to supporting long-term defence plans.

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TO match he chinese and outflank the Pakistanis , Indias defence budget with a restructured armed forces shedding flab of over 5lakh civilians and 1.5 lakh uniformed personnel in support and other jobs not related to combat duties should inrcease to 100 BILLION DOLLARS with non relapsing capital budget by 2021 a YEARLY INCREASE OF 10 TO 12 BILLION DOLLARS for next 6 years with INDIAN ECONOMY GROWING OVER 8TO 9%annually and adding 250 to 300 billion $ yearly to the Indian gdp . This is well within grasp without any infringement on the education , health , sanitation , hunger , housing , infrastruture , health , roads , railways , shipping , agriculture , R&D OR OTHE R vital development expenditures being neglected or not increased proportionately .

Yes, the services lack management capacity; seeing as the military it is 1.5-million, the management problem is enormous.

But this is a separate issue to the one inadequate allocation of funds to defense. India’s traditional approach to defense has been to wait for the threat to come to us and then react, usually by giving way and absorbing the invader. In the day of the nation state this is not a workable strategy – see 1947, 1962, 1999 and our inability to retaliate against Pakistan for 20+ years of terror.

(a) AWACS: India needs a minimum of 15, to keep 6 up for short periods in wartime. Look at the length of our coasts and borders.

(b) Why 3000 new guns? Because the old ones are way past obsolete, and Pakistan+China have the equivalent of 70+ divisions.

(c) Why attack helicopters? This is a great defensive weapon to break up armor attacks (notice I said defensive – offensive use of attack helicopters has been problematical).

(d) Why aircraft carriers? So we keep the enemy far away from our coasts instead of fighting him on the coast.

And so on.

Certainly we can choose a neutral, pacifistic strategy, in which case yes, 1.74% is adequate. This would mean evacuating Kashmir, just as starters, and agreeing to be China’s vassal. Remember, thought, the neutrals like Finland, Switzerland, and Sweden maintained very large armies relative to their resources; most of the troops were reservists. These three states had a combined population not much bigger than India’s National Capital Region, but each could put 700,000 troops in the field on mobilization.

The question is: do we want to be neutral, give up Kashmir to Pakistan-China, and become subordinate to Beijing?

Sit back and relax and think, who should be taxed more to raise the defence budget more.

Brigaidier Sahib, your numbers are misleading. That percentage point of defence spending as percentage of GDP is lower, not because defence expenditure has reduced, instead it is the GDP which has increased by much higher amounts, giving the impression that defence expenditure has been reduced. Every year since 1999, the defence expenditure has increased and these increases are not small amounts. These increases are significant.

Brigadier Sahib, work on the issue of unused funds every year by defence services. Although they want more and more, they have not shown any high capability to use the allocated funds and that too year after year. Research issues like those more.

Hari Sud, Very good point. The majority of the Army officers are bad managers and they only know fighting. Thrift is not known to this Army officers. The majority of their article will have many flaws. You may kindly read my comments.

Having a strong tactical flashlight can be very helpful in many situations. There are several key differences between a tactical flashlight and a normal flashlight. For starters, tactical flashlights are much brighter- blindingly bright, in many instances. They are designed for heavy duty outdoor use and typically have power save and extended battery life options to ensure that they are going to be fully functional when called upon in critical situations.

I used to read similar articles on this site. This article is article is no way different from other articles. None of the articles give importance to control the expenditure. At the same time, they want to purchase unwanted equipment. So far as my knowledge goes GPS will give day and night facilities. The majority of the army officers still think about outdated war strategy . Brig. is asking AWACs. Why do we require AWACs when he have Navigation with Indian Constellation( GPS)? Why do we require 3,000 155 mm/ 52-calibre guns? Will it be able to utilize against when the enemy got weapon locating radar? Nowadays nobody uses 155mm field gun. Before writing this kind of articles the Brig could have studied what kind of war the Russians fought in Syria recently. Why do we require 126 fighter aircraft?How do you calculate the requirements of planes? Do you know how many effective fighter planes we had during 1971 war.? You are talking about 20 advance jet trainers But as per the report the IAF received 24 aircraft directly from BAE Systems with deliveries beginning in November 2007, and further 42 Hawks assembled by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited between 2008 and 2011.[54] In February 2008, India planned to order 57 more Hawks, with 40 going to the Indian Air Force and the remaining 17 to the Indian Navy.[55][56]

In July 2010, it was announced that the IAF and the Navy would receive the additional 57 aircraft.[57] In July 2010, it was announced that the IAF and the Navy would receive the additional 57 aircraft.[57]. Similarly, India has already procured 75 basic trainers. Why do you require Aircraft carrier? Do you know the purpose of the Aircraft carrier? Why are you giving a gloomy picture about the Govt? I did not expect that the defense officers are so weak in their war strategy

Col.,
What is written by you is applicable to the majority of army officers like you. They do not know management. A Manger or officer should know what kind of words they should use while addressing other people. But the majority of Army officers start using unparliamentary words to the bureaucrats and other officers like this when they do not have proper answers. They think everybody is soldiers. Instead of using unparliamentary words you show that whatever I have written is false with the documentary evidence otherwise keep quite.

What a ridiculous comment this is! So a good GPS system will be a good substitute for an AWACS ? Why then does the US Airforce have AWACS ? Does Mr. Govindan even know the expansion of the term AWACS ? Please do not comment about things you have no understanding of.

It is the other way round. How many AWACS are required for India? Why do you compare with the USA? India does not have any plan to attack any country. Whereas the USA goes and attacks other countries. Using AWACs is always a risk thing during war. Do you know Pakistan has purchased BVR missiles from the USA mainly to shoot down India AWACs? Whether India got better BVR to shoot down Pakistan F-16 equipped with BVR having a range of 105 Km. How you will protect the AWACs from missile attacks. Whereas GPS cannot be destroyed by missile very easily. The Indian Army officers very weak in war strategy. They give importance to weapon carrying vehicles not weapon. Do you know why the Syrian Govt forces took more time to move forward even though Russian Fighter planes destroyed iSIS installation and artillery? Whatever I write will have the valid reasons . Read an article “Attack Helicopter: Should India have them?” By Capt AG Bewoor
Though the article was written mainly to dissuade the Gov. from supplying AH (LCH) to the Army, he raised some valid points without suggesting the remedy.
Tell me what is the remedy. I do not think any Army officer read this article and taken remedial action. This is a serious issue.

I hope you understand the need to address other people decently before expecting the same for yourself. And it must make sense. The way you criticize the author shows that you have hardly any understanding of military technology. I myself believe that the article over emphasizes certain equipment shortages, but there’s no way you can compare an AWACS system and a GPS system. Just google them I’m sure you will find out more.

Also regarding the other points you make regarding the 126 fighter requirement, 155mm artillery requirement, aircraft carrier requirement, etc-you doubt the competence of the officers who draw up these requirements, but what understanding do you yourself have? True war-fighting has changed itself over the years,but if you understood it clearly, you would see that it is more than ever reliant on equipment and technology.

I don’t know what to say, you are literally speaking completely blind here.

You first tell me how many AWACs India required.? I do not find any much difference between AWACs and GPS. I have already written It is safe to use GPS during . You have not given answers to my questions . How do you protect the AWACs from missile attack? You, people, do not know any latest developments and blame me without giving the answers. How do you protect 155 mm gun from enemies weapon locating Radar? Pakistan used the weapon locating radar against India in the Kargil war and many Indian soldiers lost their life. Do you know the minimum requirement of the fighter plane? Do you know how many fighter planes IAF had in 1971 war? Why do we require fighter plane operated by twin pilot?
India does not have any plan to attack any country. Aircraft carriers are required if our fighter planes do not have range. SU.30 MKI has a range of 3000 Km . The Mig-21 range was 1210 Km. When super powers are reducing the Aircraft carriers Indian army wants to increase the number of Aircraft carrier. We are a poor country. Whatever I write will have the valid reasons . Read an article “Attack Helicopter: Should India have them?” By Capt AG Bewoor
Though the article was written mainly to dissuade the Gov. from supplying AH (LCH) to the Army, he raised some valid points without suggesting the remedy.
Tell me what is the remedy. I do not think any Army officer read this article and taken remedial action. This is a serious issue. If you are not blind give me your answers to my questions, No defense officers can corner me in this matters. All my writing are based on last four years study.

I met General Jacob in 1973 when was the new XVI Corps. He explained he had himself chosen the chess Knight as the Corps symbol because the Knight is the only piece that can jump over the enemy and get behind, an illusion to mobile warfare.

Now, I know he and General JS Aurora worked together to change the initial plan for Bangladesh, and good thing they did. Is there any documented source on this?

Good point about the 1.72% GDP on defense. We have a government that doesnt know the first thing about defense (never did since 1947, no criticism of the current government). We have bureaucrats who dont know the first thing about defense. To say we need to cut defense for development is old and stale. The US’s greatest period of growth was 1942-1970 when the defense budgets were very high. This false choice was given by Mr. Nehru and continues to this day. In the event, we neither got defense nor development. India has live threats 360-degrees, including the 2nd most economically powerful nation on our north and to our south, and one that is determined to politically subjugate us. Refusing to spend money on modernization/expansion is plain absurd. Alas, having fools and poltroons rule us has been our historic fate.

Ravi Rikhye,
During !971 war Indira Gandhi equipped the Amy , IAF , and Navy required for war before 1971.to the maximum extent possible. So do not underestimate the civilian Govt. Can we ever imagine that during her period she procured 1200 Mig -21 fighters, transport planes,1900 tanks , field guns and fast attacking missile boats. We had not heard any scam during her period. All the scams started after her death. During Rajiv Gandhi’s period, three scams took place within five years. Indira Gandhi did not allow the navy to procure any more Aircraft carrier during her period seeing the bad performance of aircraft carrier purchased during her father’s period. She forsaw that fighter planes will not be effective to fight aginst China as their cities and towns are far away from LOC. So she decided to develop the long range missiles. But during Rajiv Gandhi’s period., he purchased another second class aircraft carrier from the UK. After her death only two good purchase done. One Bofors . But due to scam subsequent Govt did not take any interest to develop in India. By the time, it developed, it becomes obsolete. The second good purchase was SU-30 MKI fighter Aircraft. The present Govt will be better than Indira Gandhi. Defense Minister is a well-qualified engineer who can stop any wanted purchase. The present National Security adviser is a well-qualified person. We are already a super power in the missile and it’s avionic. I have many details about 1971 war. I will send by E – mail. But I do not have the map. Indian Army planning on the Eastern side was excellent. But It was not good in the Western side particularly in the Chamb Sector.

This shows you do not know the difference of GPS and AWACs. Every human a being has a brain . But that has to be utilized in a proper way. Why are you not able give the answer to my questions, if you are a superior brain. If Bhagavan Sri Krishna fought the war without taking arms and won the war. 5000 years back. Now all over the world Commanding Chief of the Army never take arms. He sits in a secured room and gives instruction. In the recent Syrian war, President Putin watched the entire operation sitting at Moscow. The majority of the Army officers do not have proper war strategy . Do you know how Israel won the Israel – Arab war in 1973? You, people, won’t read and waste time by arguing. If they cannot answer they use unparliamentary words. Who are you to tell me that I have come to a wrong site.? India Is a democratic country. This not a site owned by you. If you do not know stop writing . A few days back one army officers wrote me on the same site that Missile cannot shoot moving the vehicle. When I wrote back UK has developed Brimstone missile especially to attack moving tanks. This is the knowledge of Army officer.

can u intrcept enemy aircraft in air with help of GPS. that’s why i was saying that we can’t give u brain if u dont hv. if u can call by landline then it does’t mean that u hv no need of i-phone. GPS is just navigational system while AWACS hv mulitiple function. IT is n airborne radar picket systm designed 2 detect aircraft, ships and vehicles at long ranges and perform command and control of the battlespace in n air engagement by directing fighter and attack aircraft strikes. it also used to carry out surveillance, including over ground targets and C2BM (command and control, battle management) functions similar to n ATC given military command over other forces. When used at altitude, the radar on the aircraft allows the operators to detect and track targets and distinguish between friendly and hostile aircraft much farther away than a similar ground based radar.Like a ground based radar, it can be detected by opposing forces, but because of its mobility, it is much less vulnerable to counter-attack. i think its enough 2 tell if u want 2 learn, othrwise make some unlogical comment which u r giving continously.

GPS will give the full picture of War Zone. If it can detect movement of vehicles on the ground it will give enemy fighter plane positions. The Tejas is equipped with both GPS and a ring laser gyroscope-based inertial navigation system. Even in Dhanush fitted withThe electronic suite is a module package, combining a hybrid (Inertial+GPS) Navigation System. How are you going to protect AWACs from multiple missiles attacks from F-16 fighter planes? In the Syrien war, Turkey shot down Russian Su-24 using F-16 fighter plane. Both can be used in any vehicles using suitable electronic gadgets. What about an answer to my other questions. ” By Capt AG Bewoor
Though the article was written mainly to dissuade the Gov. from supplying AH (LCH) to the Army, he raised some valid points without suggesting the remedy. I can also tell that your comments are all with half knowledge.

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